The Wellness Community of Philadelphia Featured as Community Health Data Base Spotlight Agency, November 2003
Saturday. March 1, 2003

What does The Wellness Community of Philadelphia (TWCP) do?

TWCP provides support, hope and learning for people with cancer and their families. Programs and services include professionally led weekly support groups for survivors and caregivers; nutrition, yoga, T’ai Chi, and aerobic exercise classes; mind-body programs, the “Ask the Doctor” series; special programs for children and grandchildren of people with cancer; and educational forums. All TWCP programs and services are free.

What are the benefits of The Wellness Community’s programs?

TWCP’s programs give people with cancer and their caregivers information, coping skills, and a greater sense of control over their lives. Independent research shows that those who participate in support groups experience a myriad of quality-of-life benefits, including less stress and anxiety, a more positive outlook, fewer side effects from treatment, and a quicker return to work after treatment.

Who does The Wellness Community of Philadelphia serve?

TWCP serves people with cancer and their families of all ages and ethnicities in Philadelphia and throughout the 5-county region.  Support groups are not diagnosis-specific; anyone with cancer or caring for someone with cancer can participate. Participants are welcome at any stage of their illness, from diagnosis through recovery. Since 1993, TWCP has provided over 88,500 hours of programming to over 11,200 people.

When and how was The Wellness Community of Philadelphia established?

TWCP was founded by a group of dedicated volunteers in 1993 at a small office on City Line Avenue.  In 1996, it moved to its current location at Ridgeland in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.  Renovated and restored through community gifts, Ridgeland is a warm, home-like setting, where people with cancer and their families feel safe to talk about the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.  Participants may also enjoy the Jean C. Holler Contemplation Garden.  Meetings and large group classes are held in the renovated barn on premises.

What is the Community-Based Program?

The Community-Based Program at TWCP provides free support and educational programs to residents living in underserved Philadelphia communities. Programs are held in community centers, nurse run health centers, and a cancer center either monthly or twice a month, depending on the needs of program participants and the community. At the present time, services are offered at sites in North Philadelphia (Fairhill Community Center and Fox Chase Temple Cancer Center), East Falls (Abbottsford Family Practice), and Southwest Philadelphia (Eastwick PAC). Additional sites are currently being developed in West and South Philadelphia.

During the past year, the Community-Based Program has offered support groups, nutrition and exercise programs, survivor panels, and educational workshops on different types of cancer and on topics such as stress management, anger management and grief. All of the programs offered through the Community-Based Program are open to anyone impacted by cancer as a survivor, caregiver, or loved one of someone with cancer.

For more information, contact:

The Wellness Community of Philadelphia
The Suzanne Morgan Center at Ridgeland
Chamounix Drive, West Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  19131
V: 215.879.7733
Toll free 888.819.3553
F: 215.879.6575
www.twcp.org
info@twcp.org